Burrs and burls

Trees produce burrs as a response to trauma or stress. The stress can be caused by an infection from a fungus or virus or from a trauma, even a foreign object such as a nail. The result is that the tree produces germ like cells which grow as part of the tree in a disrupted and seemingly chaotic pattern. The results are beautiful, amazing and unique. 

Burl wood is certainly not average or boring. The swirls, twirls, and patterns in the grain all create a unique, highly figured wood that reminds me of the galaxy photographs taken by the Hubble telescope. 

Seemingly ugly and gnarled on the outside, yet magnificent on the inside.

Burr wood is difficult to work as it is usually very dense and hard and the grain does not have a set pattern or, as we like to refer to in woodturning, direction. These all contribute to the beauty, however I never know exactly how the burr is going to behave, either during the turning or afterwards as it continues to dry. In my gallery is a piece turned from a burr and as it dried out, so the feathering developed more texture and has an almost leather like feel and appearance.

Burrs in a piece lend themselves to making the statement pieces- larger, heavier and perhaps thicker walled. There is more texture, interesting aspects and they feel and look amazing.

Take a look at the gallery section for examples.